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posted by martyb on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:04AM   Printer-friendly
from the communications-issues dept.

Michael Kovrig, former Canadian diplomat, reportedly arrested in China

A former Canadian diplomat has reportedly been arrested in China. The International Crisis Group said Tuesday it's aware of reports that its North East Asia senior adviser Michael Kovrig has been detained.

The Brussels-based non-governmental organization said in a statement it's doing everything possible to obtain additional information about Kovrig's whereabouts and that it will work to ensure his prompt release.

The Globe and Mail in Toronto and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported the arrest, citing unnamed sources.

Reports of Kovrig's detention come after China warned Canada of consequences for its recent arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver's airport. It's unclear if there's any link between the cases.

Some Chinese companies ban iPhones, require Huawei after CFO's arrest: report

Some Chinese companies are banning iPhones and requiring that their employees use Huawei products following the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer, according to a new Yahoo News report. Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Chinese telecom giant Huawei, was arrested by Canadian authorities last Saturday at the request of the U.S. after allegedly violating trade sanctions against Iran. Chinese officials have strongly protested Meng's detention.

Now, Chinese companies are promoting Huawei and barring Apple, an American company. Menpad, an LCD display maker and Huawei supplier, on Monday said it will punish employees who buy iPhones with a fine equivalent to the American smartphone's market price, the South China Morning Post reported. It also vowed that the company will no longer buy American products, including office supplies and computers, and will offer a 15 percent subsidy for employees who are buying Huawei phones, according to the Post.

Japan's top three telcos to exclude Huawei, ZTE network equipment: Kyodo

Japan's big three telecom operators plan not to use current equipment and upcoming fifth-generation (5G) gear from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp, Kyodo News reported on Monday.

The news, for which Kyodo did not cite sources, comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of Chinese tech firms by Washington and some prominent allies over ties to the Chinese government, driven by concerns they could be used by Beijing for spying. Last week sources told Reuters that Japan planned to ban government purchases of equipment from Huawei and ZTE to ensure strength in its defences against intelligence leaks and cyber attacks.

See also: How Meng Wanzhou's Arrest Might Backfire

Previously: Canada Arrests Huawei's Global Chief Financial Officer in Vancouver
Arrest of Huawei Executive Causing Discontent Among Chinese Elites

Related: New Law Bans U.S. Government from Buying Equipment from Chinese Telecom Giants ZTE and Huawei
Australia Bans China's Huawei (and maybe ZTE) from 5G Mobile Network Project
Washington Asks Allies to Drop Huawei


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  • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:43AM (10 children)

    by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:43AM (#773278) Journal

    I don't think anyone on this forum is surprised. The question is, whether Washington and it's allies have thought this through. Who has the power, and the stamina, to play this game to it's end? Do we have the willingness to make a few sacrifices?

    Bear in mind that we've spent the past few decades willingly giving China our trade secrets, technology, and even equipment in many cases, to challenge us today. Most business people will want to fold as soon as their quarterly profits look weak.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:48AM (4 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:48AM (#773282)
    • (Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:58AM (3 children)

      by takyon (881) <reversethis-{gro ... s} {ta} {noykat}> on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:58AM (#773284) Journal

      In an interview with Reuters, Mr. Trump said he would consider intervening in her case. “Whatever’s good for this country, I would do,” he said.

      Sounds like we don't have the willingness, maybe.

      --
      [SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
      • (Score: 2, Insightful) by khallow on Wednesday December 12 2018, @04:17AM (2 children)

        by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday December 12 2018, @04:17AM (#773294) Journal
        Sounds like Trump is indicating that the arrest may be politically motivated too.
        • (Score: 3, Interesting) by realDonaldTrump on Wednesday December 12 2018, @06:44AM (1 child)

          by realDonaldTrump (6614) on Wednesday December 12 2018, @06:44AM (#773337) Homepage Journal

          Maybe it was. And maybe it wasn't. Who knows? Who really knows?

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @11:27PM

            by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @11:27PM (#773772)

            One thing is clear, not you!

  • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday December 12 2018, @04:11AM (4 children)

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday December 12 2018, @04:11AM (#773290) Journal

    Do we have the willingness to make a few sacrifices?

    Depends. Do you volunteer? I'd be willing to sacrifice you but it's so much better if it comes from inner conviction.

    (my point: suppose that "I" in the phrase above is "US DoJ" - the ones that issued the request for arrest)

    --
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
    • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @04:53AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @04:53AM (#773303)
      That's the free country problem. The volunteer has to volunteer willfully. In China (see the article) volunteering is mandatory, and refusniks will be heavily fined.
    • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:04PM (2 children)

      by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday December 12 2018, @03:04PM (#773460) Journal

      LOL, while you were watching for someone to step forward, all the rest of us took five steps back. It's just you on the front line now.

      • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday December 12 2018, @10:11PM (1 child)

        by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday December 12 2018, @10:11PM (#773722) Journal

        Careful with that step back, at the rate you'll be asked to volunteer and without that wall, you may end up in Mexico (grin)

        --
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @11:09PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @11:09PM (#773757)

          Karma is a bitch :D

          at least that is what those LoL incels keep saying